A research report for Multicultural Affairs Queensland

Seizing the opportunity: Making the most of the skills and experience of migrants and refugees

The landmark Deloitte Access Economics report, Seizing the opportunity: Making the most of the skills and experience of migrants and refugees, explores the economic and social opportunity from the better utilisation of skills and experience of migrants and refugees in Queensland.

Our opportunity

New evidence reveals more than 6,200 skilled migrants and refugees have qualifications which align with current skill shortages, but they can’t get a job in any of those much needed areas.

The report has also found that the Queensland economy could benefit from a boost of $250 million in the next 10 years, if the skills and experience of people who are migrants and refugees are recognised.

The way forward

Surveys of migrant and refugee experience of work shows that 27 per cent said they could not find a job suited to their qualifications, 25 per cent did not have their qualifications recognised in Australia and another 14 per cent said their work experience was not recognised.

The research discovered one of the main barriers stopping people who are migrants and refugees from securing a skilled job was the lack of Australian recognition of overseas obtained, higher education.

The report proposes several ways to move forward and better utilise the skills of migrants and refugees. It points out the conversation needs to go beyond government policy and bring industry and the community to the discussion table.